Officials with the Iowa National Guard have announced 19-year old Private 1st Class Matthew A. Cox, of Leon, died while swimming at a Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (NSGB) beach Tuesday, October 16th. Cox, a member of the 186th Military Police Company, Iowa Army National Guard based at Camp Dodge, Johnston, Iowa, was deployed to Cuba in support of Joint Task Force-Guantanamo (JTF-GTMO) at the time of his death.

PFC. Matthew A. Cox

Cox and four other service members were swimming at Cable Beach when he was overpowered by the strong current. NSGB dispatched first responders to the scene to begin search and rescue operations using divers, boats and aircraft. The operation continued until the afternoon of October 17, when searchers recovered his body. The four service members with Cox at the time of his death were not injured.

The search and recovery operation was a joint effort involving members of all military services including the U.S. Coast Guard, fire, law enforcement, and medical first responders from NSGB, Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay, and JTF-GTMO. An investigation is underway into the incident.

Cox was born in Des Moines. He was active in the Civil Air Patrol, Des Moines Police Explores and enjoyed farming with his grandparents, Fred and Linda Cox, near Leon. Cox enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard on October 11, 2017 as a Military Police Soldier with the 186th MP Co. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

Cox is survived by his parents, Jason and Beth Cox, and brother, Mark Cox, all of Hartford, Iowa.
Funeral arrangements are pending.